Corn-husking machine.



- Patented Ian. 9, I900. v W. H. SELLS.

I 3 Sheets-Sheefl,

M @mia V No. 640,96l.

BURN HUSKING MACHINE.

- Applica.tioh filed Aug. 13, 1898.)

(No Model.)

N0. 64'0',96l. Patented Ian. 9, I900.

w. H. SELLS.-

Conn HUSKIING MACHINE.

(Application filed Aug. 18, 1898.)

(No' Model.)

3 Shaets'She'et 2'.

r ll

flbiar'n/egs.

N o. 640,91. Patented Ian. 9, I900.

' W. ,.H. SELLS.

HUSKING MACHINE.

(Apfilication filed Aug. 18, 189B.) 7 ms Modal.) 3 Shaets-'Sheoi 3.

WILLIAM ll. SELLS, OF BUFFALO, NElV YORK, ASSIGNOR TO J ()llN A. SELLS,

STATE OF MONTESANO, WASHINGTON.

CORN-HUSKING MACHlN E.

SPEGIFICATIQN forming part of Letters Patent No. 640,961, dated January 9, 1900.

Application filed August 13, 1 898. berial No. 688,527. (No model.) i

To all whom 11 may concern:

Be it known that I, WVILLIAM H. SELLS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Bnffalo, in the county of Erie and State of New York, haveinvented a new and useful Improvement in Corn-Husking Machines, of

which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a corn-husking machine in which the unhusked ears-of corn are thrown indiscriminately into one ormore feeding-troughs, from which latter the ears of corn are delivered one at a time to a slitting mechanism which slits the husks lengthwise of the car, after which the ears of corn are presented to a huskingliievice whereby the husks are removed from the ears. A ma chine of this kind is shown and described in. application for Letters Patent filed by me November 26, 1894:, Serial No. 530,010.

The objects of the present invention are to improve the construction of the feedingtrough and to permit of adjusting the same for regulating the separation of the ears of corn, to provide a distributing device whereby the ears of corn are distributed uniformly into a number of feeding-troughs, to provide a frictional driving mechanism for the feedbelt in each trough which will permit the feeding action of each belt to be regulated and to be arrested if the belt becomes clogged, to provide improved guides whereby the ears of corn are directed from the feed mechanism to the slitting mechanism, to provide means whereby the slitting knives or cutters are held in alinement with each other and the upper cutteris cushioned as it approaches the lower cutter, to provide means whereby the husking-rollers' may be separated when the machine is not in use, so as to prevent flattening of the elastic surfaces of the roller, to provide means whereby any ears or husks which are caught between the husking-rollers are removed and prevented from clogging the basking-rollers, and to improve the means whereby the husking-rollers are kept clean.

In the accompanying drawings, consisting of three sheets, Figure 1 is a vertical sectional elevation of the machine, taken lengthiwise through one of the feeding, slitting, and husking mechanisms, Fig. 2 is a-fragmentary top plan view showing a number of feeding,

troughs, taken in line 13 13, Fig.

slitting, and husking mechanisms arranged side by side. Fig. 3 is a fragmentary horizontal section in line 3 3, Fig. 1. Fig. 4. is a fragmentary horizontal section, on an enlarged scale, in line l i, Fig. 1. Figs. 5, 6, and 7 are fragmentary transverse sections in lines 5 5, 66, and 7 7, Fig. 3, respectively.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary sectional end view of one of the husking mechanisms. Fig. 9 is a fragmentary cross-section, on an enlarged scale, of the adjusting device of the delivery endof one of the hnsking-rollers, the section being-taken in line 9 9, Fig. 10.

fragmentary longitudinal section of the adjusting device shown in Fig. 9. Fig. 11 is a fragmentary longitudinal section, on an ens larged scale, ofthe guide and buffer device of the slitting mechanism, the section being taken in line 11 11, Fig. 2. Fig. 12 is'afragmentary transverse section in line 12 12, Fig. 11. Fig. 13 is a fragmentary cross section, on an enlarged scale, of one of the feed- Fig. 14: is a side elevation, on an enlarged scale, showing one of the yielding guides at the delivery end of the feed-trough. Fig. 15 is a sectional perspective view of the guide ways or plates over one pair of bushing-rollers and the clearing-belt guided thereon.

Like letters of reference refer to like parts in the several-figures.

I A represents a number of feeding-troughs which are arranged lengthwise, side by side, and each of which consists of av lower horizontal receiving portion a, an upper horizontal delivery portion a, and an intermediate inclined separating portion a which extends from the receiving portion of the delivery portion. Thereceiving portion of the feedtrough consists of two like parts, which are separated by a longitudinal slot a in the bottom of the trough, each part comprising a bottom section 01*, a side wall a extending upward from. the bottom section, and an in- Each side wall of the trough is formed integrally with the ad jacent portion ofthe bottom and with the.

Fig. 10 is a 95. clined guide-plate a connecting with the ups I per end of the side wall.

as to form an unbroken surface-at this point and cause any corn falling upon this portion to be directed'into either one or the other of J the feed-troughs. H v

B represents a feed belt or chain which passes with its receiving end around a sprocket-wheel b, arranged at, the receiving end ,of. thereceivingarough and passes then-ce- '.-forwardly and lengthwise through the'slot iii-the receivingsportion, thenceupwardly along the bottom of the inclined separating portionof the trough and over two sprocket wheelsb'bi upwardlyprojecting feeding wings; b, the

"front sides of these wings diverging forwardly,

thence forwardly and overa delivery sprocketwheelbithence downwardly and backwardly around. a sprocketwheel bfto the place of he ginning, as represented. in Fig. 1.- Q The feed belt is provided at intervals with a pair of so that the cars which fallinto the trough in 7 front of the wings are centered between the .-w ings and carried lengthwise through the trough. 'In" order to prevent the feed-belt vfronr being lifted inthe receiving section of under the bottom portions-ofthe trough and:

. fholdthe belt against rising. V 0 represents a number of depending coupling-lugs arranged 'on the bottom portionsof' the receiving andjseparat'ingtrough port-ions outside oi the path ofithe guide-lugs ofv the? H receiving and separating trough portions the 1 sections are-held against displacement with reference to each other,- thereby preventing.

the feed-troughnthe latter is provided at in'-' tei'valson its under side with laterally-projecting guide ears or lugs b which'runalong chain. Theselugs are arranged in pairs, and

each pair is clam'ped'against opposite ends, of a coupling-sleeve c by means'of a trans- 'verse bolt e as represented in Figs l and 13. By thus connecting the sections of the the feed-belt, which passes through the slot.

between the sections, from being crampedor bound in said slot and insuring easy working ofthe same. The receiving ends of the receiving portions ofthe several feed-troughsare provided with an inclined guide board or plated.

The side walls of the intermediate inclined separating portion of'the' feed trough are de-- pressed or cut down, as shown at Fig. 1, and the outer sides of these depressed portions are connected by inclined r'eturningeplates d with the guide-platesof the adjacent receiv-I ing portion of the trough. The height and width of the receiving-trough is such that an ear of corn of normal size can enter the same lengthwise, and when engaged by a pair of the feedings; a this car is carried lengthwise through the receiving, separating, and

' delivery portion of the trough and, presented lengthwise, one end foremost, to the slitting mechanism If any ears are carried forwardly by the wings in an improper position in the trough-for instance, one ear riding on top of, the other, two small ears arranged side by. side, or a single ear arranged obli uely vthe application referred to,

into the receiving portions of the troughs.

these misplaced ears of corn when they arrive at the depressed side walls 1) of the separating-section escape'laterallyfrom the feedwing owing to thewant'of' side support at this part of the trough and fail upon the inclined returning-plates d. The latter carry the ears of corn which have escaped from the feed-belt backwardly to' the guide-plates a and are'directed by'the sameinto the receiv-' ingp'ortion of thetrough, this operationbeingthe same as in the-machine shown in the application for'Letters Patent heretofore referred'to. Any cars which stick up with the advancing end are engaged by a clearing-bar- 01 which extends transversely across the dey pressed portions D of the several troughs and are disengaged. from the wings and returned by the returning-plates tothe adjacent receiving-trough'portion, as in the machine of Thereceiving port ons of termediate sprocket-wheels 11b are mounted 'o'n'ithe front section E of the main frame, whileth-e delivery portions of the several feed;

troughs,"the[intermediate sprocket-wheels b b andthe delivery-sprocket b are mounted upon the rear; section E of the main frame. The front-"sectionjof the main frame is pivrotedlon; opposite sides to the rear section at so a . y the several feedtroughs, together with the receiving and in a poirit'ad'jacent-to the upper end of the sepa-- Y rating-sections by horizontal pivots e, so that thefront-frame-section can-be raised and loweredfor adjusting the angle or the separatl ing-sections, to suit the requirements for ef- 1 fecting the best separation of the ears of corn. g-Th e front frame-section is held in its adjusted position by means of two or more feet e, which are adju'stably secured to the fro'ntfsection ot'the frame by bolts a, passing through vertical slots e in said feet.

7 F represents a supply trough or chute which is arranged-with its delivery end over the receiving portions of the feeding-troughs and whichis provided with an endless conveyer belt or chain f, whereby the ears of corn which are placed in the supply-trough are delivered .In onder to effect a uniform distribution of of these boards inclines from its rearend toward its front end and from its inner end toward its outer end. The outer end of each board is arranged at an angle, so that the two outerends of both deflecting-boards diverge forwardly and the two boards together form a fdeflec'tor'which enlarges from its upper or re ceiving end toward its lower or delivery end- The ears of corn are discharged from the suppiy-trough centrally upon the upper narrow portion of the deflector and then slide down in opposite directions uponboth of the defleeting-boards both laterally and forwardly and are distributed uniformly into the differcut receiving portions of the several troughs. The ears of corn are prevented from sliding over the outer inclined end of the deflecting boards by rails or cleats c 5 arranged on these ends of the boards. The uniformity in the distribution of the ears of corn depends uponthe inclination of the deflecting-boards, and

in order to secure this result the boards are hinged at their inner ends to an inclined longitudinal bar g, so that they can be raised :5 and lowered into the desired angle laterally.

The bar g is also capable of being, shifted vertically for changing the longitudinal inclination of the deflecting-boards from their upper ends tov their lower ends. For this purzo pose the bar is loosely supported with its lower end in the front guide-board c of the troughs or other support, while its upper end is adjustably secured by a bolt 9 passing through the bar and a vertical slot 9 in the rear section of the main frame or other support. The deflecting-boards are held in their transversely-inclined positionafter adjustment by means of supporting-feet 9 each of which rests upon a transverse bar of the front frame-section and is adjustably secured to its respective deflecting-board by a bolt 9 passing through aslot g in the foot. By mounting the deflecting-boards so that they can be raised and lowered the space above the receiving portions of the feed-troughs can be cleared when access is desired to this portion of the machine for repairing or cleaning the same.

In order to limit or regulate the strain which e can be placed upon the feed-belts and to permit each feed-belt to be coupled with and uncoupled from the driving mechanism independent of the other feed-belts, a frictional driving-clutch is provided for each feed-belt, \which is constructed as follows: H represents a transverse driving-shaft,which is journaled in bearings upon the rear section of'the main frame and upon which the delivery sprocketwh'eels b of the several feed-belts are loosely mounted. Each of these sprocket wheels bears with one side against a shoulder or collar h, secured to the driving-shaft, and its opposite side is provided with a conical clutch face Zt', Wl1i0h is adapted to be engaged by a a corresponding conical face k of a clutch disk 7 or wheel Ht, as represented in Fig. 4. The clutch-disk is keyed to the driving-shaft, as shown at h hg as to be compelled to turn therewith but be free to slide lengthwise thereon. Upon engaging the clutch-disk with the adjacent delivery sprocket-wheel b the latter is turned with the driving-shaft, and the respective feed-belt is moved forwardly through the feed-trough for feeding the ears of corn.

The clutch-disk is moved into and out of em gagcmont with the driving sprocket-wheelbtv means of a rockdever h, pivoted on the at ends converge toward the operative portions jacent portion of the rear frame-section,. and

engaging with its rear arm in an annular groove h in the hub of the clutch-disk. The frictional contact between the clutch-disk and driving-wheel is so adjusted that when the belt becomes clogged and the strain upon the same exceeds a predetermined limit the clutch-disk slips upon the driving-wheel, thereby avoiding breaking of the belt or connecting parts. The frictional contact between the'clutch-disk and driving sprocketwheel b is adjusted by means of a swivel piece or block h, which is pivoted to the front arm of the rock-lever li and an adjustingscrew hflwhich engages with a screw-threaded opening in the swivel-piece and bears with its head against a stationary abutment. This abutment may consist of the adjacent wall of the delivery portion of the feed-trough, as shown in the drawings, or some other stationary part of the machine. When it is desired to operate the feed-belt, the rock-lever is turned in the direction of the arrow, Fig. 4, 0 whereby the clutch-disk is engaged with the driving-wheel, and then the swivel and adjusting-screw are turned until the head of the latter bears against the abutmenhwhere by the clutch is locked in its coupled posi tion. When it is desired to uncouple the clutch, the swivel-piece and the adjusting screwmounted thereon are swung out of en gagement with the stationary abutment, as shown by dotted lines in Fig. 4, which permits the clutch rock-lever to be shifted in the opposite direction for uncoupling the clutch.

KOO

'By shifting the adjusting-screw in the swivelpiece the throw of the lever and the frictional contact between theclutch-disk and driving- 'wheel can be regulated.

I 1' represent the upper and lower rotaryv cutters, between which the ears of corn are delivered by the feed mechanism and whereby the husks of the corn are slitted lengthwise Apair of these cutters is arranged in rear of the delivery end of each feed-trough and their operative portions move in the same direction in which the cornsis delivered from the feed-trough, whereby these cutters serve it 5 the double purpose of slitting the corn and also propelling the same.

J J represent two guide-plates whereby the ears of corn are guided from the delivery end of the feed trough to the cutters. These plates are pivoted at theirfront ends to the outer sides of the adjacent portion of the feedtrough by vertical pivots j, and their rear IOO of the cutters. These guide-plates are yieldingly held with their rear ends converging close to the cutters by springs j, each of which surrounds the pivot of one of the guide- I plates and bears with itsend'sa'gainst the adjacerit portions'of the guide-plate and the 1 0 feed-trough. The movement of the guideplates toward thecutters is limited, so asiix prevent these plates from comingincontact o with the cutters by means of stops,.each of terposed between the bearings of the lower husking-roller and the inclined backs of the ways in whichthese bearings move. Upon moving these wedges rearwardly the bearings of the lower bushing-roller are moved toward the bearings of the other roller, whereby the rollers are pressed together, and upon moving the wedges forwardly the rollers are free to separate, which separation is effected by the resilience of the rubber huslring-rollers aided, if necessary, by hand.

m represents a tie or shifting rod, which v connects the wedges and causes them to move backward and forward simultaneously. This respondingly-shaped adjusting-block, so that the plate is compelled to turn with the thrustblock; but the latter is capable of sliding lengthwise through the plate. The latter when in its normal position bears against the rear side of the cross-piece Z above and below the guideway i as shown in Figs. 9 and 10. V

m is a bifurcated cam-lever pivoted to opposite sides of the adjusting-block by a trans verse pivot and adapted to bear against the rear side of the thrust-plate m Upon turning the cam-lever so that its salient portion bears against the thrust-plate, as shown in Fig. 10, both wedges are drawn rearwardly and the lower husking-roller is pressed against the upper husking-roller. Upon turning the cam-lever in the direction of the arrow, Fig. 10, until the receding portion of the cam-lever faces the thrust-plate the wedges can be moved forwardly,so as to allow the lower rollercto move away from the upper roller. Upon turning the adjusting-block upon the shiftingrod the screw-threaded connection between the same causes the wedges to be moved toward or from the cam, thereby permitting of adjusting the wedges for securing the desired pressure between the bushing-rollers. The turning of the adjusting-blocks is elfected while the cam-lever is loose, and during this turning movement the cam-lever and the thrust-plate move with the -ad'justing-block,

wherebythese parts are always retained in their proper relative position.

The husking-rollers are caused to turn in unison by intermeshing gear-wheels n n, which are secured to the front ends of the up;- per and lower shafts, respectively, and which arranged below thefront guide-plate Z, so t6 prevent-the ears of corn from coming in contact with the same.

0 represents the main driving-shaft, arrangedgtransversely below the cutters and iournaledin hearings on the rearframe-sec;

rollers.

tion. Motion is transmitted from this shaft to the husking-rollers by means of intermeshmg bevel gear-wheels o o, secured, respectively, to the main shaft and to the front end of a short longitudinal shaft 0 journaled in the cross-piece t and a chain belt 0 passing aroundsprocketewheels 0 0 connected with the bevel gear-wheel o and the front end of the upper roller-shaft 0 respectively, as rep resented in Figs. 1, 3, and 7'.

P P represent two vertical side walls or plates, which are arranged lengthwise adjacent to the upperouter portions of the husking-rollers and which confine the ears of corn upon the rollers while the husks are being removed therefrdm, these plates being secured at their front and rear ends to the front and rear 'crosspieces i 1*.

In order to compel the ears of corn to travel from the front to the rear ends of the husking-rollers and to prevent the same from clogging the rollers, aclearingdeviceis provided, which is constructed as follows: Q represents a number of clearing-belts, one of which is arranged lengthwise above each pair-of huskingrollers and which passes around front and rear sprocket-wheels q q, arranged adjacent to the front and rear ends of the 'husking- The rear sprocket-wheels of the several clearing-belts are mounted upon atransverse driving-shaft which is journaled in bearin gs on the rear portion of the rear framesection. Each of the front sprocket-wheels q is journaled transversely in bearings mounted on the front end of a frame Q, which is hung with its rear end on the driving-shaft supporting the rear sprocket-wheels g. g represents a number of clearing or feeding wings which are secured at intervals to the outer side of the clearing-belt and which are carried by the latter rearwardly over the husking-rollers and between the side walls thereof, whereby the ears of corn are forcibly carried lengthwise over the husking-rollers, this operation being the same as in the machine in the application for patent heretofore referred to. Each of the feeding or clearing wings is provided at its outer end with a cutter or knife-blade qfiwhich is adapted to move lengthwise through-the longitudinal channel orgroove formed between the upper portion of the bushing-rollers. If any I wardly-projecting flanges or rails q, formed on the upper ends of the side walls P P, as

the clearing-belt moves with 7 its lower or car rying portion over the bushing-rollers. These guide-ears and supporting-rails hold the feedwings out'o'f contact with the bushing-rollers and prevent the knives at the lower ends thereof from digging into the rol-lers and 'injuringthe same, which would be liable to happen if the wings were free in traveling over the bushing-rollers. g represents a flexible covering or band which is secured'to the outer side of the clearing-belt, so as to cover the links of the latter and also close the space between the'upper ends of the side walls of the bushing-rollers as the belt passes over the same, thereby preventing the ears of cornf'i'rom escaping over the top of the side walls or becoming caught in the links of the clearing-belt.

R R, Figs. -1, '2 3,'and 5, represent two rotary cleaning-brushes, which are arranged lengthwise below the hnsking-rollers and rotate,respectively,in contact with these rollers, whereby any particles of corn, husks, and silks are removed from the bushing-rollers.

. lhese brushes are journaled at their ends in tion of the brush.

* material from the rollers :and brushes, andv bearings secured to the front and rear crosspieces-t Z and are preferably turned, so that each roller and its cotiperating brush rotate with their contact-surfaces in opposite directions,whereby a wiping action of the brush upon the roller is produced. These rollers are rotated by means'of a chain belt S, passing around sprocket-wheels s s 8. secured,-respectively, to therear end of the short shaft '0 and the front ends oi the b'rush-shafts'and around an idle roller 5 pivoted on the front cross-piece '5 as shown in Figs; 1, 3, and 6.

If desired, the cooperating'sidesof each 'ihusking-roller and the opposing brush may be rotated in the same directiomin which case. the roller and brush must be rotated-at adifterential speed in order to secure a wiping ac- -In order to assist in clearing'the huskingrollers and brushes. from any husks, silks, or corn'juice which reduce their efficiency, a spray of water is delivered against theunder sides of rollers and brushes,which washes this thereby keeps them in the most efiec'tive condition. For this purpose a water-supply pipe T is arranged on thelowerportio'n of the rear frame-section and provided with an upwardlyprojecting spraying-nozzle i underneath each pair of rollers and brushes, as shown in Figs.

'l and 5, whereby afine spray of water is di recte'd against the under sides of the rollers and brushes.

I claim as my invent1on- 1. The combination with the two longitudinal sides of a feed-trough which are separated by an intervening longitudinal slot and the feed-belt passing lengthwise through said slot,

of coupling-lugs arranged on the sides ofthe trough adjacent to the slot between the same,

a sleeve arranged betweeneach lug on one side and a lug on the other side, and a bolt connecting said sleeve with the adj acentlu gs substantially as set forth.

2. The combination with a number of feed.-

troughs arranged side by side, of: two laterally inclined 'distributingboards arranged 7 side by side above the feed-troughs audpivr. oted at their adjacent inner longitudinal edges, and adjusting devices connected with i saidboards and whereby the lateral inclination of the boards may be adjusted, substan .tially as set forth.

, The combination with a number of feeds troughs arranged side by side, of two longi' tudinally and laterally inclinedldistributingboards arranged side by side abovethe feedtroughs, adjusting mechanism for varyingthe longitudinal inclination of the boards, and

adjusting mechanism for-varying the lateral inclination of the boards, substantiallyas set v forth.

4:. The combination-with a number of feedtroughs arranged side by side, of two longitudinally and laterally inclined distributingboards arranged side by side over the feedtroughs, a longitudinal supportingrod to which the inner edges of the boards are pivoted and which is capable of vertical adjustsaid belt, a driving-disk keyed to said shaft so that it is compelled to turn therewith but is capable of sliding lengthwise thereon,-toward and from the driving-wheel, a rock-lever connected loosely with one arm to said drivingdish, a swivel-blockpivoted to the other arm of the rock-lever, and an adj listing-screw arranged in said block and adapted to engage with a stationary abutment, substantially as set forth.

6. The combination with the feed-trough, the feed-belt arranged in said trough and passing around a wheel at the delivery end of the trough, the feed-wings arranged on the belt,

and the rotary cutters arranged in rear of the feed-trough, oftwo laterally-movable guideplates which are arranged on opposite sides of the space between the rear end of the feed-- trough and the cutters and which project nora mally into the path of the wings, and springs whereby the guide-plates are yieldingly held in their normal position, substantially asset forth.

7. The combination with the lower rotary cutter, the upper rotary cutter capable of moving vertically toward and from the lower cutter and the rock-arm carrying the upper cutter, of a vertical guide whereby the rock-' arm is held against lateral displacement and the upper cutter is held in alinement with the lower cutter substantially as set forth.

8. The combination with the lower rotary cutter, the upper rotary cutter capable of moving vertically toward and from the lower cutter and the rock-arm supporting the upper cutter, of an upright guide-arm engaging with a slotted lug on the rock-arm, and an elastic bufier which is arranged adjacent to'the guidearm and adapted to be engaged by the slotted lug, substantially as set forth.

9. The combination with the husking-rollers arranged lengthwise side by side, of stationary hearings in which one of the rollers is journaled, transversely-movable bearings in which the other roller is journaled and which l is guided in transverse ways in the frame,

wedges arranged in said ways and engaging with the movable bearings, a rod connecting said wedges, an adjusting-block having a screw connection with said rod, a thrust-plate mounted on said block and bearing against the frame, and a cam pivoted on'the adjusting-block and bearing against the thrustplate, substantially as set forth.

10. The combination with a pair of husking-rollers arranged lengthwise sideby side,

and a trough or guideway arranged above said rollers, of a clearing-belt having its 01)- erative portion moving lengthwise over said rollers and provided with wings whereby the ears are moved along the rollers, cutters ar ranged on the wings and adapted to cut ofi any ears which become caught between the husking-ro1lers,and supporting-lugs arranged on the clearing-belt adjacent to its wings and moving along said trough or guideway, whereby the cutters are prevented from being drawn between the rollers and injuring the latter, substantially as set forth. 11 The combination with the husking-rollers arranged lengthwise side by side, of side walls arranged lengthwise of the rollers, a clearing-belt provided with Wings moving lengthwise overthe rollers, and a covering secured to said belt and adapted to-close the space between the side walls as the belt passes over the basking-rollers, substantially as set forth.

Witness my hand this 9th day of August, 98. ,7

WILLIAM H. SELLS. Witnesses:

P. W. GRUBBS, B. W. OULVER. 

